Muhammadiyah chairman Haedar Nashir called on Muslims around the world to prevent the negative impacts of globalization in a speech at an international congress of religious leaders held in Kazakhstan from Oct. 10 to 11.

Haedar said Islam was not against globalization, acknowledging many of its benefits.

The Muslim leader, however, argued that globalization had brought negative impacts to the world and Islam could play a role in easing them.

“Religion should be a source of inspiration for globalization that brings common good, and at the same time, it must also serve as a reminder for humanity to not engage in destructive actions,” he said as quoted in a press release.

Muhammadiyah, he said, had been taking part in the peace process in southern Philippines, where conflict was brewing between government forces and Muslim armed groups. The organization, he added, had also been working to help quake survivors in Nepal and Rohingya refugees in Myanmar and Bangladesh.

“Muhammadiyah urges its members in particular and Muslims around the world to present a progressive Islam that caters to the present needs of modernity and to help prevent the negative impacts of globalization from occurring.”

Representatives from 82 countries attended the fourth Congress of the Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan. They comprise leaders of Muslim, Christian, and Hindu organizations as well as representatives of international organization such as the United Nations Alliance of Civilization (UNAOC) and UNESCO.

The congress focused on discussing the roles of religious leaders in keeping the world safe, developing trust and mutual respects, and fighting religious extremism.